Chapter 104 I Believe Her
"I trust her." Terrence's voice was low, deliberate. He paused, blew smoke into the night air. "Find out everything about that woman—her real background, and why she's getting close to Bianca."
"Yes, Mr. Anderson." Barry inclined his head slightly, his tone respectful.
Ash fell onto the iron railing, the ember snuffed out in an instant. Terrence leaned against the cold metal, grinding the cigarette out and flicking it into a nearby steel bin.
Melissa was trouble. He knew it. But she was close to Bianca, and if he wanted Bianca to accept the truth, brute force wouldn't work this time. It would have to be gradual… calculated.
He raised his wrist, fingers brushing over the sleek, minimalist watch. It looked ordinary, but when it tapped against the silver, uniquely shaped pearl bracelet, the faint metallic chime was unexpectedly harmonious.
The Rodriguez Mansion.
Blair pounded on the heavy wooden door.
"Dad, please! Let me out, I'll behave, I swear! I won't cause trouble again—just don't make me go through with that marriage! You said I was too young before! I don't like him, he's old and disgusting!"
"When you've thought it through, come back to me." Glenn's voice was cold, muffled through the door.
His footsteps faded down the hall. Blair's hand hit the door again, pain shooting through her palm.
Her face flushed hot, then darkened. Her eyes coiled with venom like a snake. She bit into her lower lip until blood welled.
She would not marry an old man. She would not be traded like property. She would marry Terrence.
Damn Bianca. Why did she have to do this?
The humiliation from that day was still vivid. Blair slid down the door, knees drawn tight, forehead pressed against them. Hot tears soaked into the silk folds of her dress.
When she lifted her head again, her eyes were bloodshot, her hatred sharp enough to cut. She licked the blood from her lips.
Bianca. The name was a nightmare—fear tangled with rage.
If Blair couldn't have peace, Bianca wouldn't either.
Why should Bianca escape marrying an old man? Why should she be free from a forced union?
If she couldn't strike directly, she would destroy everything Bianca cared about… piece by piece.
Jasmine.
Blair's lips curved slowly into a twisted smile, teeth grinding with a faint, sharp sound.
"Jasmine, someone's looking for you."
The voice came from the doorway, laced with mockery, tinged with anticipation.
Jasmine was forced to lift her head from her book, eyes clouded with confusion as she looked toward the stranger leaning against the frame.
"Didn't you hear me? Someone's here for you."
The boy at the door raised his voice, drawing the attention of the whole class.
A girl muttered, irritated, "Jasmine, if they're here for you, go already. Stop holding up the lesson."
"Yeah, quit hanging around with the wrong crowd. You're dragging the whole class down."
The chorus of disapproval pressed in. Jasmine bit her lip, resentment swelling in her chest. Her fingers slid toward her phone—she wanted to text Bianca.
But the boy at the door caught the movement, lunging forward. His hand clamped around her wrist, yanking her up.
"Hey, keep your hands to yourself. And you're not even in this class, are you?" Paxton stepped into the doorway, his gaze half-lidded but steady.
The boy's voice was flat and sharp. "Not your business. Move."
He shoved Paxton.
Paxton was too slight to stand against him, but still tried to hold his ground.
Before he could push back, Jasmine spoke quickly, her voice urgent. "I know them, Paxton. I'm fine… really."
She didn't want anyone who had ever been kind to her dragged into this.
"Oh, so you've got a boyfriend too." The boy's eyes flicked over Paxton, his smirk dripping with contempt.
"I don't know him. I'll go with you." Jasmine's head dropped, her posture shrinking into something meek and fragile.
Paxton's jaw tightened, but when her eyes met his, he stepped aside.
The boy grinned, his hand pressing down on Jasmine's head, shaking it from side to side. "Your new boyfriend's not much."
"Cody, don't talk about my cousin like that." Blair's tone was mild, but pitched perfectly to carry to the curious ears in the classroom. "Sure, she knows a lot of guys, but maybe they're just friends."
Blair's voice was just loud enough for everyone watching to hear.
"You think everyone's as pure as you?" Cody's palm slapped lightly against Jasmine's cheek. "I've seen her wrapped around men more than once. I've got videos."
"I don't!" Jasmine's voice rose, but when Blair's narrowed eyes locked on her, her defiance crumbled. "I don't, Blair..."
Blair's brows lifted in feigned shock, her hand covering her mouth. "Jasmine? How could you..."
"You're too naive," Cody cut in, his fingers digging into Jasmine's cheeks while his other arm hooked around her shoulders, pulling her in tight. "With a face like hers, she's the wildest of the lot."
From behind Blair, Kelly stepped forward, tugging at the neckline of Jasmine's shirt. She peeked inside, her eyes flashing with envy.
"Wow. No wonder. Who knows how many men have had their hands on you."
Cody's gaze followed, sweeping over Jasmine's chest.
Jasmine's hands flew up to cover herself, panic flooding her eyes.
Cody's voice was cold. "Even if you tried to seduce me, I wouldn't touch you, slut."
But his eyes didn't leave her.
Jasmine's shoulders shook violently. Her fingers clutched at her clothing, her body curling in on itself.
The stares around her were heavy, ugly, stripping away the last of her courage.
Blair watched, satisfied. This was exactly how she had planned it.
She drew in a slow breath, her eyes glinting with resolve.
"Jasmine, as your cousin, it's my responsibility to keep you in line."
Her voice cut through the room. Silence followed, thick enough to hear breathing.
"Please, everyone, don't tempt her down the wrong path. She's young, she doesn't understand… she's just too innocent, too easy to fool."